U.S. patent application number 09/987058 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-02 for information recording/reproducing apparatus and information recording medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to PIONEER CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kondo, Tadashi.
Application Number | 20020051408 09/987058 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18818776 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020051408 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kondo, Tadashi |
May 2, 2002 |
Information recording/reproducing apparatus and information
recording medium
Abstract
An information recording/reproducing apparatus is capable of
recording the video information on an optical disk and reproducing
the video information which has been recorded on the optical disk
in accordance with a play list. The apparatus includes the
detecting unit which detects an unnecessary portion of the video
information not to be reproduced by any play list, and the erasing
unit which erases the video information with respect to the
detected unnecessary segment, which has been recorded on the
optical disk.
Inventors: |
Kondo, Tadashi;
(Tokorozawa-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE, MION, ZINN, MACPEAK & SEAS, PLLC
Suite 800
2100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington
DC
20037-3213
US
|
Assignee: |
PIONEER CORPORATION
|
Family ID: |
18818776 |
Appl. No.: |
09/987058 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
369/30.05 ;
348/E5.105; 348/E5.112; 369/30.09; 369/47.13; 386/E9.013;
G9B/27.012; G9B/27.019; G9B/27.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 9/8042 20130101;
G11B 2220/2575 20130101; H04N 9/8205 20130101; G11B 2220/216
20130101; G11B 2220/2562 20130101; H04N 5/45 20130101; G11B 27/34
20130101; G11B 27/105 20130101; G11B 27/329 20130101; G11B 2220/218
20130101; G11B 27/034 20130101; H04N 5/85 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
369/30.05 ;
369/47.13; 369/30.09 |
International
Class: |
G11B 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 13, 2000 |
JP |
2000-344607 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An information recording/reproducing apparatus for recording
information on a recording medium and for reproducing recorded
information from the recording medium in accordance with a
reproducing procedure designated by a user, comprising: a detecting
unit for detecting an unnecessary portion of the recorded
information which is not to be reproduced according to any one the
reproducing procedure; and an erasing unit for erasing the recorded
information corresponding to the unnecessary portion.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detecting unit
comprises: a first unit for detecting necessary portion of the
recorded information which is to be reproduced by the reproducing
procedure for all of the reproducing procedure; and a second unit
for determining the portion of the recorded information other than
the necessary portion detected by the first unit as the unnecessary
portion.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control
unit for controlling the detecting unit and the erasing unit to
operate when the user finishes editing the reproducing
procedure.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control
unit for controlling the detecting unit and the erasing unit to
operate when an instruction to erase the unnecessary portion is
inputted by the user.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control
unit for controlling the detecting unit and the erasing unit to
operate when an instruction to eject the recording medium from the
apparatus is inputted by the user.
6. A computer readable information recording medium storing a
control program readable by a computer apparatus and making the
computer apparatus to function as an information
recording/reproducing apparatus for recording information on a
recording medium and for reproducing recorded information from the
recording medium in accordance with a reproducing procedure
designated by a user, comprising: a detecting unit for detecting an
unnecessary portion of the recorded information which is not to be
reproduced according to any one the reproducing procedure; and an
erasing unit for erasing the recorded information corresponding to
the unnecessary portion.
7. A recording medium according to claim 6, wherein the detecting
unit comprises: a first unit for detecting necessary portion of the
recorded information which is to be reproduced by the reproducing
procedure for all of the reproducing procedure; and a second unit
for determining the portion of the recorded information other than
the necessary portion detected by the first unit as the unnecessary
portion.
8. A recording medium according to claim 6, wherein the information
recording/reproducing apparatus further comprising a control unit
for controlling the detecting unit and the erasing unit to operate
when the user finishes editing the reproducing procedure.
9. A recording medium according to claim 6, wherein the information
recording/reproducing apparatus further comprising a control unit
for controlling the detecting unit and the erasing unit to operate
when an instruction to erase the unnecessary portion is inputted by
the user.
10. A recording medium according to claim 6, wherein the
information recording/reproducing apparatus further comprising a
control unit for controlling the detecting unit and the erasing
unit to operate when an instruction to eject the recording medium
from the apparatus is inputted by the user.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a technical art of an
information recording/reproducing apparatus for recording and
reproducing information on and from a recording medium. More
particularly, the present invention relates to an information
recording/reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing the recorded
information, which has been recorded on the recording medium, in
accordance with a reproducing procedure designated by a user.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] In recent years, in accordance with development of a
multi-media technology, an optical recording medium capable of
recording a large quantity of digital video information and easily
accessed in a random order attracts attention. As this kind of
recording medium, a DVD-R (DVD Recordable) serving as a recordable
optical disk capable of additionally recording information, a
DVD-RW (DVD Re-recordable) and a DVD-RAM (DVD Re-writable) or the
like serving as a rewritable optical disk capable of rewriting
information have been put into the practical use. According to
these recording media, video data is recorded after being
compressed and coded by a MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) system
which is typical system as a compression and extension system for
moving picture.
[0005] It is noted that the coding technology in a MPEG system is
capable of compressing moving picture information having enormous
information amount highly efficiently by applying
variable-length-coding to the difference information between
pictures, which a user desires to code and a reference picture
prior to the present picture in time, as well as moving vector in
units of a macro block.
[0006] A recording/reproducing apparatus for the use of these
recording media generates original reproduction control information
for reproducing the recorded information in an order that the
recording information have been recorded on the recording medium,
and records the original reproduction control information on the
recording medium. Then, the recording/reproducing apparatus
reproduces the recorded information on the basis of this original
reproduction control information in an order that the recording
information have been recorded on the recording medium. In
addition, this recording/reproducing apparatus can generate
user-defined reproducing information (called "play list") for
reproducing the recorded information in accordance with the
reproducing procedure designated by the user, and records it on the
recording medium. Further, this recording/reproducing apparatus is
capable of reproducing the recorded information, which have been
recorded on the recording medium, in accordance with this play
list. For example, a movie program broadcasted on television is
once recorded, and thereafter this movie program is reproduced with
unnecessary commercial film portions being skipped according to the
designations by the user. By this, a play list for reproducing the
movie itself, without commercial film portions, is recorded on the
recording medium. Thereafter, when this play list is designated by
the user, it is possible to only reproduce the movie itself without
the commercial film portions.
[0007] On the other hand, in the case of increasing unrecorded area
of the recording medium, in the first instance, the user tries to
erase unnecessary portions of the recorded information, which is
not reproduced from the recording medium by any one play lists. In
such a case, according to the conventional recording/reproducing
apparatus, the user has to edit the above described original
reproduction control information and erase the unnecessary portions
of the recorded information recorded on the recording medium.
[0008] However, such an erasing operation needs a lot of time and
efforts. Additionally, particularly if a plurality of play lists
are set, it is very difficult for the user to find out the
unnecessary portion that is not reproduced by any one of the plural
play lists. Therefore, this involves a problem such that the user
erases a portion of the recording information to be reproduced on
the basis of the play list by mistake or the unnecessary portion,
which is not reproduced by any play list, cannot be appropriately
erased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention has been made taking the foregoing
problems into consideration, and its object is to provide an
information recording/reproducing apparatus capable of accurately
and quickly erasing the recorded information that is not reproduced
from the recording medium in accordance with the reproducing
procedure designated by the user.
[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an information recording/reproducing apparatus for
recording information on a recording medium and for reproducing
recorded information from the recording medium in accordance with a
reproducing procedure designated by a user, including: a detecting
unit for detecting an unnecessary portion of the recorded
information which is not to be reproduced according to any one the
reproducing procedure; and an erasing unit for erasing the recorded
information corresponding to the unnecessary portion.
[0011] In accordance with the information recording/reproducing
apparatus, user can record information on a recording medium. In
addition, the user can create the reproducing procedure of the
recorded information and records it on the recording medium. At an
appropriate time, the detecting unit detects the unnecessary
portion of the recorded information of the recorded information,
which is not to be reproduced according to any one the reproducing
procedure, and the erasing unit erases the recorded information
corresponding to the unnecessary portion. Thus, the recorded
information which is not to be reproduced may be erased, and the
storage capacity of the recording medium can be efficiently
used.
[0012] Preferably, the detecting unit may include a first unit for
detecting necessary portion of the recorded information which is to
be reproduced by the reproducing procedure for all of the
reproducing procedure; and a second unit for determining the
portion of the recorded information other than the necessary
portion detected by the first unit as the unnecessary portion.
[0013] In an embodiment, the apparatus may further include a
control unit for controlling the detecting unit and the erasing
unit to operate when the user finishes editing the reproducing
procedure.
[0014] In another embodiment, the apparatus may further include a
control unit for controlling the detecting unit and the erasing
unit to operate when an instruction to erase the unnecessary
portion is inputted by the user.
[0015] In still another embodiment, the apparatus may further
include a control unit for controlling the detecting unit and the
erasing unit to operate when an instruction to eject the recording
medium from the apparatus is inputted by the user.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a computer readable information recording medium
storing a control program readable by a computer apparatus and
making the computer apparatus to function as an information
recording/reproducing apparatus for recording information on a
recording medium and for reproducing recorded information from the
recording medium in accordance with a reproducing procedure
designated by a user, including: detecting unit for detecting an
unnecessary portion of the recorded information which is not to be
reproduced according to any one the reproducing procedure; and an
erasing unit for erasing the recorded information corresponding to
the unnecessary portion.
[0017] In accordance with the information recording medium, by
executing the computer program by the computer apparatus, for
example, a terminal device or a personal computer, the computer
apparatus may function as the information recording/reproducing
apparatus described above.
[0018] The nature, utility, and further features of this invention
will be more clearly apparent from the following detailed
description with respect to preferred embodiment of the invention
when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings briefly
described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information
recording/reproducing apparatus according to the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a recording format;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hierarchical constitution of a
video manager;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an operation for setting an
automatic edit mode;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of play list
screen;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a relationship
between video information and play list;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example to edit the
reproducing procedure by using a play list-1 and a play list-2;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an automatic edit mode
operation program;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a map producing operation
program;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a table producing
operational program;
[0029] FIGS. 11A to 11E are diagrams showing manners to compare a
table with a map in time;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing unnecessary portions of the
original reproduction control information; and
[0031] FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an application of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] A preferred embodiment according to the present invention
will be described below. In the embodiment described below, a
recording/reproducing apparatus 50 capable of recording and
reproducing video information (including the audio information) by
the use of a DVD-RW (hereinafter referred to as an optical disk 1)
will be explained. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a substantial
part of the information recording/reproducing apparatus 50
according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a
recording format (a physical recording format) of an optical disk 1
which is used by the information recording/reproducing apparatus
50, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hierarchical constitution of
a video manager (VMG) in the recording format shown in FIG. 2.
[0033] At first, a recording format of an optical disk 1 to be used
by the information recording/reproducing apparatus 50 will be
explained with reference to FIG. 2.
[0034] The optical disk 1 has a lead-in area LI at its innermost
periphery, and has a lead-out area LO at its outermost periphery.
The video information is divided into a plurality of video title
sets (VTS#1 to VTS#n) having ID (identification) numbers,
respectively, between the lead-in area LI and the lead-out area LO.
In this case, the VTS is a set of associated titles having the same
attributes such as audio, the same number of streams of a
sub-picture, the same specification and the same correspondence
language or the like (i.e., a piece which a producer of the movie
or the like is planning to serve to an audience). More
specifically, for example, it is possible to record the titles
having different languages for the same one movie, and further it
is possible to record a theater version and a special version of
the same movie as different titles, respectively.
[0035] Also, between the lead-in area LI and the lead-out area LO,
the video manager (VMG) is recorded. In FIG. 2, the VMG is placed
in front of the VTS#1. However, the VMG is not always placed in
front of the VTS#1 depending on a file system. For example, the
information recorded in the VMG includes the information in
association with the entirety of the video information and the
audio information to be recorded in the present optical disk 1 such
as a menu indicating names of respective titles, the information
for preventing the illegal copy or an access table for accessing
respective titles or the like. The user-defined reproduction
control information in association with the reproducing procedure
according to the present invention is recorded in the VMG.
[0036] In the VTS, a plurality of video objects (VOB) having the ID
numbers, respectively, are recorded with the control data at its
head portion. In this case, a portion, which is configured by a
plurality of VOB, is referred to as an object set (VOBS). In order
to differentiate the control data from other data, which
constitutes the VTS and a plurality of VOB as a substance of the
video information and the audio information, the present
substantial portion is defined as the VOBS. In the control data
which has been recorded in a head of the VOB, the information such
as program chain information (PGCI) or the like in association with
a program chain serving as a logical segment including a
combination of a plurality of cells is recorded. In respective VOB,
the substantial portion of the video information and the music
information (the picture or the sound itself in addition to the
control information) are recorded in addition to the control
information. Further, the VOB is structured by a plurality of cells
having the ID numbers, respectively.
[0037] The cells are structured by a plurality of video object
units (VOBU) having the ID numbers, respectively. In this case, the
VOBU includes the information unit including the video information
and the sub-picture information (i.e., the information of a
sub-picture of a caption or the like in the movie), respectively.
One VOB unit is constituted by a video pack (V_PCK) having the
video information, an audio pack (A_PCK) having the audio
information and a sub-picture pack (SP_PCK) having the sub-picture
information. The video data included in the VOBU is constituted by
one or more GOP.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the above described VMG includes real
time recording video manager information (RTR_VMGI), a movie AV
file information table (M_AVFIT), a still picture AV file
information table (S_AVFIT), original program chain information
(ORG_PGCI), a user-defined program chain information table
(UD_PGCIT), a text data manager (TXTDT_MG) and a manufacture
information table (MNFIT).
[0039] Further, the above-described ORG_PGCI includes a cell
information table (CIT), and this CIT includes a plurality of cell
information (CI#1 to CI#j). Each CI includes the cell general
information (C_GI) and a plurality of the cell entry information
(C_EPI#1 to C_EPI#k). A start time and an end time of respective
cells of the original reproduction control information according to
the present invention are recorded in this C_GI. The above
described UD_PGCIT includes a plurality of user-defined program
chain information (UD_PGCI) as same as the ORG_PGCI. A start time
and an end time of respective cells of the user-defined
reproduction control information according to the present invention
are recorded in the C_GI, which is provided below the UD_PGCI.
[0040] Next, the constitution and the schematic operation of the
information recording/reproducing apparatus 50 will be explained
with reference to FIG. 1. The information recording/reproducing
apparatus 50 is constituted by a pickup 2, a modulation unit 3, a
formatter 4, an encoder 5, a controller 6 provided with a
navigation information generating unit 7, a memory 8, a
demodulation unit 9, a decoder 10, a servo circuit 11, a spindle
motor 12 and an operational unit 13 or the like.
[0041] The spindle motor 12 rotationally drives the optical disk 1
at a predetermined linear speed on the basis of a spindle control
signal Sss from the servo circuit 11. On the other hand, the video
information Sr to be recorded on the optical disk 1 is inputted to
the encoder 5 from outside. The encoder 5 applies the predetermined
coding processing (specifically, the compression coding processing
according to a MPEG system or the like) to the video information Sr
on the basis of a control signal Sce from the controller 6 to
output a coding signal Sre to the formatter 4.
[0042] The formatter 4 converts the format of the video information
Sr on the basis of a control signal Scf from the controller 6 so
that the format of the video information Sr has the physical format
shown in FIG. 2, and then the formatter 4 supplies the formatted
signal Sf to the modulation unit 3. The formatter 4 converts the
format of a navigation information signal Snd from the navigation
information generating unit 7 to be described later so that the
format of the navigation information signal Snd has the physical
format shown in FIG. 2, and then the formatter 4 supplies the
formated signal Sf to the modulation unit 3. The modulation unit 3
performs the predetermined modulating processing (specifically, the
error correction, the interleaving, the scramble processing and the
8-10 modulation or the like) to the formatted signal Sf and outputs
a modulation signal Sfe to the pickup 2. The navigation information
generating unit 7 generates the information to be recorded in the
above described VMG and generates the original reproduction control
information and the user-defined reproduction control information
according to the present invention.
[0043] The pick up 2 drives a light source such as a semiconductor
laser or the like (not shown) in the pickup 2 on the basis of the
modulation signal Sfe outputted from the modulation unit 3,
generates an optical beam such as a laser beam or the like,
irradiates the generated optical beam to a surface for recording
the information and forms phase-change pits corresponding to the
present modulation signal Sfe, so that the pickup 2 records the
video information Sre and the navigation information signal Snd on
the optical disk 1. In this case, the optical disk 1 is rotated at
a predetermined linear speed by the spindle motor 12 driven on the
basis of the spindle control signal Sss.
[0044] On the other hand, in the case of reproducing the video
information which has already been recorded on the optical disk 1,
the pickup 2 irradiates an optical beam B for reproducing the video
information with a predetermined density on the optical disk 1, and
then the pickup 2 outputs a detecting signal Spp, which is
generated in association with the video information on the basis of
the reflected light, to the demodulation unit 9. The demodulation
unit 9 applies the predetermined demodulation processing to the
detecting signal Spp and outputs the navigation information signal
Sud to the controller 6 and a demodulating signal Spd in
association with the video information to the decoder 10. The
decoder 10 applies the decoding processing to the demodulating
signal Spd on the basis of the control signal Scd from the
controller 6 and outputs the decoded demodulating signal Spd to an
external appliance (not illustrated) such as a TV monitor or the
like as an output signal Sout.
[0045] Next, the operation for setting an automatic edit mode by
the information recording/reproducing apparatus 50 will be
explained with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 4.
[0046] The information recording/reproducing apparatus 50 according
to the present embodiment has an automatic edit mode function to
erase an unnecessary portion of the video information, which is not
used in any one of the plural play lists. In order to prevent the
automatic edit mode from being applied to the optical disk 1, which
has been recorded or edited by other apparatus, a flag indicating
whether or not the automatic edit mode should be allowed is
recorded, in advance, on the optical disk 1 to which the automatic
edit mode is applied.
[0047] At first, when the optical disk 1 is set on a turn table in
step S1, the controller 6 starts various serve control and prepares
recording or reproduction with respect to the optical disk 1. Then,
the controller 6 determines whether or not the automatic selection
in the automatic edit mode is set by the user in step S2. In the
case that the automatic edit mode is not set (step S2; NO), after
the mode is changed to a normal mode such that the original
reproduction control information is not automatically edited in the
step S9, the control on the basis of the present operational flow
is terminated. On the other hand, in the case that the automatic
selection is set, the controller 6 determines whether the present
optical disk 1 includes an optical disk 1 in which the information
has not been recorded yet in the step S3. Such a decision is
carried out by checking whether the data recorded in the VMG can be
read or by trying to reproduce the VMG of the optical disk 1. If
the data in the VMG cannot be read out, this optical disk 1 is
determined as an unrecorded optical disk in which the information
has not been recorded yet.
[0048] In the case that the optical disk 1 is an unrecorded optical
disk (step S3: YES), the controller 6 records a flag which allows
the automatic edit mode in the step S8 in a blank area of the VMG
of the optical disk 1. Then, the control based on the present
operation flow is terminated. On the other hand, in the case that
the optical disk 1 is a recorded disk on which the information has
been recorded (step S3: NO), the controller 6 determines whether or
not the optical disk 1 is an optical disk with its mode being set
to the automatic edit mode in the step S4. This decision is carried
out by observing whether the flag recorded in the above described
VMG is set or not.
[0049] In the case that the optical disk 1 is an optical disk which
mode is set to the automatic edit mode (step S4: NO), after
changing a mode into a normal mode in the step S9, the controller 6
terminates the control based on the present operational flow. On
the other hand, in the case that the optical disk 1 is an optical
disk which mode has been set to the automatic edit mode (step S4:
YES), after provisionally performing the automatic edit processing
in the step S5, the controller 6 confirms in the step S7 whether
the original reproduction control information recorded in the
optical disk 1 accords with the original reproduction control
information automatically edited in the step S5. If the original
reproduction control information recorded on the optical disk 1
does not accord with the original reproduction control information
automatically edited in the step S5 (step S6: NO), it is decided
that the original reproduction control information recorded in the
optical disk 1 is edited by other recording/reproducing apparatus.
Then, after changing the mode into the normal mode in the step S9,
the controller 6 terminates the control based on the present
operational flow. On the other hand, in the case that the original
reproduction control information recorded in the optical disk 1
accords with the original reproduction control information
automatically edited in the step S5 (step S6: YES), the controller
6 changes the mode into the automatic edit mode and terminates the
control based on the present operational flow.
[0050] Next, the recording operation of the video information by
the information recording/reproducing apparatus 50 will be
explained with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. FIG. 5 is a diagram
showing a play list screen referred to as disk navigation. FIG. 6
is a diagram schematically showing a relationship between the video
information recorded on the optical disk 1 and the play list. In
FIG. 6, the reference numeral 100 schematically shows the recording
positions of the video information-1 and the video information-2,
which are recorded in the optical disk 1. The reference numeral 100
shows the time length of the video information in a bar. The
reference numeral 101 shows the original reproduction control
information, which indicates a start time and an end time of the
video information-1 and the video information-2. The reference
numeral 102 shows a state that the user performs the recording
operation of the video information and the user registers the
user-defined reproduction control information indicating that the
start time and the end time of the video information-1 in the play
list-1 1. In the same way, the reference numeral 103 shows a state
that the user registers the user-defined reproduction control
information indicating that the start time and the end time of the
video information-2 in the play list-2.
[0051] The information recording/reproducing apparatus 50 is
capable of outputting a play list screen referred to as a "disk
navigation", since it makes the detection of the video information
recorded in the optical disk 1 and the selection upon editing
easier. The play list screen displays the video information
recorded on the optical disk 1 by six still pictures on one screen
as shown in FIG. 5. The six still pictures are the title pictures
of the respective play lists. If the user performs the recording
operation of the video information, the information
recording/reproducing apparatus 50 stores a first picture of this
video information in the play list screen as a still picture. In
the case that the user performs the title register operation, the
user registers the titles with linking (i.e., associated) the
titles to the above described still picture.
[0052] If the user performs the recording operation of, for
example, the video information-1, the information
recording/reproducing apparatus 50 records the video information-1
in the VTS of the optical disk 1. Then, after recording the video
information-1 in the VTS of the optical disk 1, the navigation
information generating unit 7 generates the original reproduction
control information (ORG_PGCI) indicating the start time and the
end time of the video information-1 and the user-defined
reproduction control information (UD_PGCI #1) indicating the start
time and the end time of the video information-1 to record them in
the VMG. Additionally, the navigation information generating unit 7
registers the first picture of the video information-1 in a play
list-1 of the play list screen.
[0053] In the same way, the information recording/reproducing
apparatus 50 records the video information-2 in the VTS of the
optical disk 1 when the user performs the recording operation of
the video information-2. After the recording, the information
recording/reproducing apparatus 50 adds the information indicating
the start time and the end time of the video information-2 to the
original reproduction control information (ORG_PGCI), and the
information recording/reproducing apparatus 50 generates the
user-defined reproduction control information (UD_PGCI #2)
indicating the start time and the end time of the video
information-2 to record them in the VMG. Further, the information
recording/reproducing apparatus 50 registers the first picture of
the video information-2 in a play list-2 of the play list
screen.
[0054] In the automatic edit mode, the information
recording/reproducing apparatus 50 prohibits the edit of the
original reproduction control information by the user. If the
recording operation is performed, the information
recording/reproducing apparatus 50 automatically produces a play
list with respect to the original reproduction control
information.
[0055] Next, the edit operation by the information
recording/reproducing apparatus 50 will be explained with reference
to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the reproducing
procedure is edited by using the play list-1 and the play
list-2.
[0056] If the user performs the edit operation, the information
recording/reproducing apparatus 50 processes the video information
of respective play lists by the unit of a plurality of cells, which
are configured by the VOBU. For example, if the user selects a
(A-B) segment of the video information-1 by the edit operation of
the play list-1, the information recording/reproducing apparatus 50
stores a cell start time (A) and an end time (B) as a first cell
information (CI#1) of a first user-defined reproduction control
information (UD_PGCI #1). In FIG. 7, the stored cell start time (A)
and the end time (B) as the first cell information (CI#1) of the
first user-defined reproduction control information (UD_PGCI #1)
are represented by a cell-1 (A-B). Additionally, in FIG. 7, the
reference numerals A to H represent a time length of the video
information. It is assumed that a relationship that
A<G<B<H<E<F stands. For example, a relationship
A<B in time is established between the start time (A) and the
end time (B) of the cell 1 (A-B).
[0057] Additionally, if the user selects the (A-D) segment of the
video information-2, the information recording/reproducing
apparatus 50 stores a cell start time (C) and an end time (D) as a
second cell information (CI#2) of a first user-defined reproduction
control information (UD_PGCI #1). In FIG. 7, the stored cell start
time (C) and the end time (D) as the first cell information (CI#2)
of the first user-defined reproduction control information (UD_PGCI
#1) are represented by a cell-2 (C-D). If the user selects the
(E-F) segment of the video information-1, the information
recording/reproducing apparatus 50 stores a cell start time (E) and
an end time (F) as a third cell information (CI#3) of a first
user-defined reproduction control information (UD_PGCI #1). In FIG.
7, the stored cell start time (E) and the end time (F) as the third
cell information (CI#3) of the first user-defined reproduction
control information (UD_PGCI #1) are represented by a cell-3 (E-F).
Then, if the edition of the play list-1 is finished, the
information recording/reproducing apparatus 50 records the first
user-defined reproduction control information (UD_PGCI #1) having
these first to third cell information (CI#1 to CI#3) in the
VMG.
[0058] In the same way, if the user selects the (G-H) segment of
the video information 1 by the edit operation of the play list-2,
the information recording/reproducing apparatus 50 stores a cell
start time (G) and an end time (H) as a first cell information
(CI#1) of a second user-defined reproduction control information
(UD_PGCI #2) in the optical disk 1. In FIG. 7, the stored cell
start time (G) and the end time (H) as the first cell information
(CI#1) of the second user-defined reproduction control information
(UD_PGCI #2) are represented by a cell-1 (G-H). Then, if the
edition of the play list-2 is finished, the information
recording/reproducing apparatus 50 records the second user-defined
reproduction control information (UD_PGCI #1) having the first cell
information (CI#1) in the VMG.
[0059] Next, the operation of the automatic edit mode of the
information recording/reproducing apparatus 50 will be explained
with reference to FIGS. 7 through 10. FIG. 8 is an automatic edit
mode operational flowchart showing an automatic edit mode
operational program of the information recording/reproducing
apparatus 50, FIG. 9 is a map producing operational flowchart
showing a map producing operational program to be processed upon
running the automatic edit program, and FIG. 10 is a table
producing operational flowchart for showing a table producing
operational program to be processed upon running the automatic edit
mode operational program. The map producing operational program and
the table producing operational program are executed as a
sub-program of the automatic edit mode operational program.
[0060] If the edit operation is finished in the automatic edit mode
in the information recording/reproducing apparatus 50, the
automatic edit mode operational program is executed on the basis of
the automatic edit mode operational flow chart shown in FIG. 8.
[0061] At first, the controller 6 of the information
recording/reproducing apparatus 50 waits for the termination of the
edit operation by the user in step S10. This decision is carried
out by detecting whether an edition terminating button (not
illustrated) is operated by the user or not. If the edit operation
is terminated (step S10: YES), the controller 6 executes the map
producing operational program shown in FIG. 9 in step S11.
[0062] The controller 6 sets a value of a MAP number [M] to "0" in
step S20, and starts the production of the map from the cell-1 in
step S21. The controller 6 registers the information of the VOB,
which is structured by the cell, in a MAP [0] in step S22.
[0063] In this case, the controller 6 registers a map having MAP
[0]=(1, A, B) in the cell-1 (A-B) shown in FIG. 7, and the
controller 6 goes to step S23. It is noted that a first value in
parentheses indicates a VOB number. In the step S23, the controller
6 increases a value of the map number [M] by one, and the
controller 6 goes to step S24. In the step S24, the controller 6
detects whether following cells exist or not. In this case, since
there is a following cell-2 (step S24: YES), the controller 6
returns to the step S22.
[0064] Thereafter, the controller 6 registers the maps
corresponding to respective cells constituting the play list-1 in
the above described step S22 through step S24. In other words, the
controller 6 registers MAP [1]=(2, C, D) and MAP [2]=(1, E, F)
following MAP [0]=(1, A, B). Then, if the following cells
constituting the play list-1 pass out of existence (step S24: NO),
the controller 6 detects whether a next play list exists in step
S25 or not. Since there is a play list-2 (step S25: YES), the
controller 6 returns to the step S21 and executes respective steps
in the play list-2 similarly to the play list-1 to register MAP
[3]=(1, G, H).
[0065] As a result, the controller 6 registers the following maps
for the play list-1 and the play list-2 shown in FIG. 7.
[0066] MAP [0]=(1, A, B)
[0067] MAP [1]=(2, C, D)
[0068] MAP [2]=(1, E, F)
[0069] MAP [3]=(1, G, H)
[0070] Then, if the following play lists pass out of existence
(step S25: NO), the controller 6 goes to step S26 and sorts out the
registered plural maps in an order of the VOB numbers.
[0071] In the above described case, the following results are
obtained.
[0072] (FOR VOB 1)
[0073] MAP [0]=(1, A, B)
[0074] MAP [2]=(1, E, F)
[0075] MAP [3]=(1, G, H)
[0076] (FOR VOB 2)
[0077] MAP [1]=(2, C, D)
[0078] After that, the controller 6 confirms the number of the
maps, which are sorted out in the order of the VOB numbers in the
step S27. In this case, the number of the maps constituting the VOB
1 is "3" including MAP [0]=(1, A, B), MAP [2]=(1, E, F) and MAP
[3]=(1, G, H), and the number of the maps constituting the VOB 2 is
"1" including MAP [1]=(2, C, D). Thus, the controller 6 terminates
the map producing operation and returns to the step S12 of the
automatic edit mode operational program shown in FIG. 8.
[0079] Subsequently, the controller 6 carries out initial setting,
which is necessary for carrying out the automatic edit from the VOB
1 in the step S21, and the controller 6 goes to the step S13 so as
to execute the table producing operational program shown in FIG.
10.
[0080] In step S30, the controller 6 starts reading out maps from
the designated VOB, namely, from the map 0 corresponding to the VOB
1. In step S31, the controller 6 defines the start time of the read
out map, namely, the start time of the MAP [0] as "x" and defines
the end time of the map M as "y". Then, the controller 6 compares
the read out map with the table, which has been already registered,
in step S32. Since there is no registered table at this point (step
S32: NO), the controller 6 goes to step S33.
[0081] In step S33, the controller 6 registers the above "x" and
"y" as a new table. This new table is described as a table-11 (A,
B). After that, the controller 6 decides whether it should compare
this table with a next map in step S34 or not. Since the next map,
namely, the MAP [2] exists (step S34; YES), the controller 6
returns to the step S31.
[0082] In the step S31, the controller 6 sets the start time E of
the MAP [2] to x and sets the end time F of the MAP [2] to y. Then,
the controller 6 decides whether it should compare the MAP [2] with
a next registered table in the step S32 or not. As described above,
since the table-11 (A, B) is registered in the step S33 (step S32:
YES), the controller 6 goes to step S36 in order to compare this
table-11 (A, B) with the MAP [2].
[0083] In the step S36, the controller 6 sets the start time A of
the table-11 (A, B), which is registered, as "v", sets the end time
B to `w` and goes to step S37. Steps S37 to step S42 serve to
compare the start time and the end time of the table, which has
been already registered, with the start time and the end time of a
map to be newly registered. This comparative processing will be
described with reference to FIG. 11 below.
[0084] FIGS. 11A to 11F are diagrams showing the combinations to
compare a registered table (v, w) with a new map (x, y) in time,
and there are six combinations shown.
[0085] FIG. 11A shows a state that the new map (x, y) is placed
behind the registered table (v, w) in time, and this relationship
is detected in the step S37. In this case, the new map (x, y) has
no relationship to the registered table in time, so that the new
map (x, y) is compared with a next registered table.
[0086] FIG. 11B shows a state that a rear part of the registered
table (v, w) and a front part of the new map (x, y) are overlapped
each other in time. This state is detected in step S38. In this
case, in the new map (x, y), the start time v of the registered
table (v, w) is assigned in this start time x and then, the new map
(x, y) is compared with the next registered table. Additionally,
since the registered table (v, w) is taken into the new map (x, y),
the registered table (v, w) is erased from the table.
[0087] FIG. 11C shows a state that all elements of the registered
table (v, w) are included in the new map (x, y), and this state is
detected in step S39. In this case, the registered table (v, w) is
overlapped with the new map (x, y), so that the registered table
(v, w) is erased and the new map (x, y) is compared with a next
registered table.
[0088] FIG. 11D shows a state that a front part of the registered
table (v, w) and a rear part of the new map (x, y) are overlapped
each other in time. This state is detected in step S40. In this
case, in the new map (x, y), the end time w of the registered table
(v, w) is assigned in the end time y, and then the new map (x, y)
is compared with the next registered table. Additionally, since the
registered table (v, w) is taken into the new map (x, y), the
registered table (v, w) is erased from the table.
[0089] FIG. 11E shows a state that the new map (x, y) is placed in
front of the registered table (v, w) in time and this state is
detected in the step S41. In this case, the new map (x, y) has no
relationship to the registered table in time, so that the new map
(x, y) is compared with a next registered table.
[0090] FIG. 11F shows a state that all elements of the new map (x,
y) are included in the registered table (v, w) and this state is
not identical with any one of the above described states. In this
case, the new map (x, y) is neither compared with a next registered
table and nor registered as a table.
[0091] Then, getting back to the explanation of the flowchart, the
controller 6 decides the relationship between (v, w) for the
registered table-11=(A, B) and (x, y) for respect to the MAP
[2]=(1, E, F) belongs to which one of the above six conditions in
the steps S37 to S41. As shown in FIG. 7, the relationship between
(A, B) and (E, F), namely, the relationship between (v, w) and (x,
y) satisfies the condition "v<w<x <y" shown in FIG. 11A
(step S37: YES), so that the controller 6 goes to the step S32, and
decides whether (x, y) should be compared with a next registered
table or not. There is no next table (step S32: NO), so that the
controller 6 registers this (x, y), namely, (E, F) as a new
table-12 (E, F) in the step S33.
[0092] Therefore, there are two registered tables as follows.
[0093] Table-11 (A, B)
[0094] Table-12 (E, F)
[0095] Subsequently, the controller 6 decides whether (x, y) should
be compared with a next registered table or not in the step S34.
Since a next map, namely, MAP [9] exists (step S34: YES), the
controller 6 returns to the step S31.
[0096] In the step S31, the controller 6 sets the start time G of
MAP [3] to "x" and sets the end time H of MAP [3] to "y". Then, the
controller 6 decides whether (x, y) should be compared with a next
registered table or not in the step S32. There are two registered
table, i.e., table-11 (A, B) and table-12 (E, F) (step S32: YES) as
described above, so that at first the controller 6 returns to the
step S36 so as to compare the table-11 (A, B) with MAP [3].
[0097] In step S36, the controller 6 decides which relationship
among the above described relationships (v, w) for the registered
table-11=(A, B) establishes with (x, y) for the MAP [3]=(1, G, H)
in the steps S37 to S41, assuming that the start time A of the
table-11 (A, B) is "v" and the end time B is "w". As shown in FIG.
7, the relationship between (A, B) and (G, H), namely, the
relationship between (v, w) and (x, y) satisfies a condition
"v<x<w<y" shown in FIG. 11B (step S38: YES), so that in
step S43, the controller 6 assigns the start time v of the
registered table-11 (v, w) in the start time x, erases the table-11
(v, w) and goes to the step S32.
[0098] The controller 6 decides whether (x, y) should be compared
with a next registered table or not again in the step S32. A next
table-12 (E, F) exists as described above (step S32: YES), so that
the controller 6 decides which relationship among the above
described relationships (v, w) for the registered table-12=(E, F)
establishes with (x, y) which is set in the above described step
S43, namely, (A, H) in the steps S37 to S41, assuming that the
start time E of the table-12 (E, F) is v and the end time F thereof
is w. As shown in FIG. 8, the relationship between (E, F) and (A,
H), namely, the relationship between (v, w) and (x, y) satisfies a
condition "x<y<v<w" shown in FIG. 11E (step S41: YES), so
that the controller 6 returns to the step S32. Then, the controller
6 decides whether (x, y) should be compared with a next registered
table or not again. In this case, there is no further registered
table which is not compared with (x, y) (step S32: NO), so that the
controller 6 registers this (x, y), namely, (E, F) as a table-13
(E, F) in the step S33.
[0099] As a result, there are two registered tables as follows. The
table-11 (A, b) does not exist, since it is erased in the step
S43.
[0100] Table-12 (E, F)
[0101] Table-13 (A, H)
[0102] Subsequently, the controller 6 decides whether (x, y) should
be compared with a next registered table or not in the step S34. In
this case, there is no further map to be compared with (step S34:
NO), so that the controller 6 terminates the registration of the
table in an effective segment of the designated VOB1 and returns to
the step S14 shown in FIG. 8.
[0103] In the step S14, the controller 6 reads out a table with
respect to the effective segment of the designated VOB1, which has
been registered in advance, and calculates remaining unnecessary
segments (namely, hatched portions shown in FIG. 12). According to
the present embodiment, the steps S13 and S14 constitute the
unnecessary segment detecting process. Then, the controller 6 edits
the original reproduction control information so as to erase the
unnecessary segment from the video information VOB1 in the step
S15. Therefore, this step S15 constitutes the unnecessary segment
erasing process according to the present invention.
[0104] Subsequently, the controller 6 decides whether it should
edit a next VOB in the step S16 or not. As shown in FIG. 7,
according to an example in the present embodiment, the VOB 2 still
exists (step S16: YES), so that the controller 6 returns to the
step S13 and repeats the above described operation. Since it has
been already described above, a simple explanation will be given
below. The controller 6 produces a table-11 (C, D) from the play
list-2 in the step S13, reads out this table-11 in the step S14,
and calculates the remaining unnecessary segment (namely, hatched
portions shown in FIG. 12). Then, the controller 6 edits the
original reproduction control information so as to erase the
unnecessary segment from the video information VOB2 in the step
S15. Further, if the controller 6 decides that there is no next VOB
in the step S16 (step 16: NO), it terminates the above described
automatic edit mode operational program.
[0105] The present invention is not limited to the above described
embodiment. For example, according to the above described
embodiment, the present invention is constituted in such a manner
that, if the edit operation is finished in the automatic edit mode
operation, the unnecessary video information not to be referred to
by any play list is automatically erased. However, according to the
present invention, an unnecessary picture erasing key may be
provided to the operational unit 13 so that the user is capable of
erasing the unnecessary video information by one-touch operation at
arbitrary timing or this automatic erasing operation may be carried
out just before the recording medium is ejected.
[0106] According to the above embodiment, the information
recording/reproducing apparatus 50 includes an apparatus which
records the video information in the optical disk 1, however, the
information recording/reproducing apparatus 50 may be an apparatus
which only records the audio information. Additionally, according
to the above embodiment, a DVD-RW is used as a recording medium.
However, the present invention may also be applied to other optical
disk such as a DVD-RAM or the like as a matter of course and
further, it may also be applied to a recording/reproducing
apparatus which records and reproduces the recording information in
various kinds of recording media such as a hard disk and a
semiconductor memory or the like.
[0107] Further, as shown in FIG. 13, by recording a control program
corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 8 to 10
in a flexible disk 90 and an optical disk 90 or a hard disk 91 or
the like serving as an information recording medium. By reading out
this program by a personal computer 95 or the like to execute it,
it is also possible to function a CPU of the computer as the above
described controller 6 and function a computer provided with a disk
drive such as a DVD-ROM drive apparatus or the like as the above
described information recording/reproducing apparatus 50.
[0108] According to the present invention, it is possible to
accurately and quickly erase, from the recording medium, the
unnecessary portion of the recording information that is not to be
reproduced in accordance with the play list designated by the
user.
[0109] The invention may be embodied on other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof. The present embodiments therefore to be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the
invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning
an range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to
embraced therein.
[0110] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2000-344607 filed on Nov. 13, 2000 including the specification,
claims, drawings and summary is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
* * * * *